Chapter 234 - Strength Of Will
"I've always been hearing this and that Spirit but I've never fully understood them. What are they anyway? Are they like dead people... but they are giving me powers so I don't know..."
Trisha has always ignored this topic since it reminds her of the trauma she had when she was a child. The time when she learned that her suffering lessened only becuase it was passed onto other people, building their family's wealth on it.
Because of her, her family has become sinners.
This has been bugging her since she's a child so to stop this, she would act strong and be strong. She learned that being strong would make her handle her suffering and that she will only keep it for herself and her alone.
Now, though, she felt fine talking about it. Is it because she finally has the real courage to face it? Or is it becuase she matured? Or is it because she's talking to the person who she knew she can share her suffering?
She looked at Teren this way because she suffered from him. It's like her privilege to act weak in front of her because he has the obligation to let her lean on him. That's why she didn't let him go and let him compensate for all the atrocity that he had done. Trisha is subconsciously aware that she needs someone to lean on.
On top of that, she found that he will not really touch her family which was very important for her. Additionally, the torture helped her overcome her fears and become much stronger. So with all that, it was reasonable why she was able to accept Teren even after all the suffering she's been through under his hands.
Trisha was still holding some contempt but she has no use for it. Therefore, she locked it away. She couldn't fully let go of that grudge and that was making her snappy against him. But as time passes, interacting with the 'new' Teren who's not there to hurt her but instead 'take care of her', her trust in him was building up.
Finally, she respects his strength. If things were not so complicated, Trisha would have considered Teren as a potential partner. Now, she was still considering but it was all blurry.
There was this Teren's ex and that 'Goddess' who gave her her strength seemed to have something going on with Teren too.
For now, when everything's settled and if Teren actually did care for her and never hurt her again, maybe at that time, she will actually try to flirt with him even if he has other girls. Trisha's not that weak, she's very stubborn. Not only that but she's also confident in beating them.
But that's not the problem right now.
Trisha's thoughts happen in a blink of an eye and Teren explained what a Spirit is...
"Wow... why did I just learn of this now? This is very interesting."
Trisha didn't reject the idea of the Spirit Plane connecting their reality to other realities where this kind of power exists. Instead, she was fascinated.
The reason why she was able to accept it easily was that the proof was already in front of her. The destruction due to her own frenzy could be visibly seen. With the existence of the supernatural like a Spirit Plane, it was more believable.
"So wait, when that Goddess told that you're an otherworlder does she mean that you're from the world where these Spirits exist?"
Trisha asked something that Teren had asked himself earlier too.
"Maybe..."
But that was the only thing he could answer with his insufficient knowledge. No matter how much he thinks about it, it's not like he's suddenly going to learn something new just because of the time he spent thinking.
"Okay, leaving that behind, I think it's pretty simple."
Trisha said but immediately regretted taking it lightly when Teren continued to explain.
"Back to the topic earlier, the reason why I can do that all comes to our will."
Teren picked up back where he left off earlier.
"Wait, I forgot... ah, I asked you about how you can handle being guilty when you're not being forced. You said something about that's the difference between the natural and the other thing."
"Yeah, it's because you're spiritually strong since birth. You're like a true genius who can't explain how you can do amazing things. Meanwhile, the others who gained the strength of their Spirits through experience, we do it by force."
"So there are other more people?"
Trisha felt bitter knowing that there are more 'special' people like her and Teren.
"I don't actually know. The only person I know is myself. But it's not like I'm the only person, right?"
Trisha suddenly clasped her hands when she heard this. With an excited voice, she replied.
"Wow, I knew it!"
"Eh?'
Teren was unable to understand her reaction.
"I mean, I thought that there are more people but then you said that you're the only one. It would be weird if there are that many people who are stronger than you!"
"..."
Although Trisha already explained, Teren was still unable to catch up.
Realizing that she got excited learning that Teren wasn't just one among the others, Trisha immediately let go of her hands and questioned herself.
"Actually... it's nothing."
"I don't understand. What are you excited about?"
"I don't know myself so just continue with the explanation!"
Trisha shouted back taking Teren aback. Since they have to walk to the grocery store themselves, they were still far from it with a lot of time to chat so he continued.
"I hope you've not gone mad."
"Hmph!"
"Ehem... so about earlier, when I said the force of our will. It's actually the strength of our will. How far are we willing to go just to get our goal? There's no exact measurement but from what I know, that determines how strong your Spirit is, the Spirit that we are born with, our 'personal' Spirit."
Teren explained. This is also the reason why he had to consider the sexual methods back then. This was another reason why Iesa permitted him because if he doesn't, he will fall short against his enemies which are literally the strongest people on Earth.
If Lina heard this explanation, she would link it to the time where she controlled Teren in his dreams. She already had the power to restrain him and give him a head. But when he snapped and became willing to use that method, he broke free since he suddenly became stronger than Lina. But at the same time, he controlled their sexual activity (in the dream) since he's willing to go for it.
Everything has its price.
That was why he got his Incubus-like Spirit which he wasn't able to use much in the end.